Liverpool

Liverpool

Premier League • England

Man Utd star Casemiro hands Liverpool boost in chase for £65m midfielder as Brazilian gives Ten Hag bloody nose over transfer plan

Casemiro of Manchester United sits on the subs bench during the Premier League match at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton

Liverpool have seemingly been handed a boost in their reported pursuit for Frenkie de Jong with the presence of Casemiro likely to further dissuade the Dutchman from moving to Manchester United, per a trusted reporter.

The Red Devils made the classy Barcelona star a primary transfer target over the summer window. New boss Erik ten Hag quickly identified the United midfield as an area of weakness and sought a reunion with his former Ajax charge. But getting a deal over the line was far more troublesome than ever imagined.

After weeks of negotiating a fee with Barcelona, United then faced an insurmountable hurdle in trying to persuade De Jong to sign. Indeed, the writing was surely on the wall when a report in Spain cited 10 reasons over why De Jong was opposed to moving to Old Trafford.

Nonetheless, United continued the chase and it was only when the signing of Casemiro was wrapped up in days that John Murtough came to a stark realisation.

United, though, remain very much keen on a deal for De Jong. As such, the midfielder remains a target of Ten Hag’s heading into 2023.

Despite the midfielder getting his way and staying at Barcelona, there remains the very real prospect they could still sell. To that end, De Jong himself has hit out at the Spanish press for having something of an agenda against him.

However, United are not alone in their pursuit of the Netherlands midfielder. Chelsea are also reportedly looking at a possible deal amid doubts over both N’Golo Kante and Jorginho.

Liverpool are also reportedly weighing up an approach of their own with new midfielders very much on Jurgen Klopp’s shopping list.

Man Utd’s Frenkie De Jong transfer hopes suffer nosedive

Now, Manchester United have been told that the presence of Casemiro will put paid to their hopes of signing De Jong in January.

That’s according to Gianluca Di Marzio. He reckons the presence of the Brazilian will end Ten Hag’s prospects of signing De Jong.

“After they brought Casemiro I don’t think that [De Jong] can happen in January because they spent a lot of money on Casemiro and the players are similar,” Di Marzio told WettFreunenet.

“I think it’s unlikely they can spend another £70m or £100m on De Jong. So I don’t think that can happen in January.”

Indeed, United far more likely to look to strengthen other areas of their side. With that in mind, Tuesday’s Euro Paper Talk has details of a United move for a £39.2m-rated goals and assists machine.

With United seemingly out of the running for De Jong, Liverpool’s chances of signing the midfielder have now grown.

And while Fabrizio Romano suggests the player remains intent on staying, a sizeable bid could yet force Barcelona’s hand.

Any such deal will also reportedly get the thumbs up by Reds defender Virgil van Dijk.

He knows De Jong well from their time in the Netherlands squad. And he recently painted the midfielder in a glowing light.

“Frenkie, well, he always plays good in my eyes,” Van Dijk said after Netherlands thrashed Belgium 4-1 earlier this year.

Liverpool perfect next club for Barcelona star

With Liverpool in need of at least one new midfielder, a move for De Jong makes perfect sense.

Elite central midfielders appear to be at a premium these days and, even for £65m, Klopp could surely not go too far wrong.

The Reds are in desperate need of strengthening in the area. James Milner, 37 in January, is surely in his final season at Anfield. And both Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are likely to depart as free agents.

Furthermore, Thiago Alcantara and Jordan Henderson are both the wrong side of 30 and showing signs of slowing down.

To that end, Liverpool may well find a deal for De Jong easier to pursue than Jude Bellingham.

And while De Jong rejected a move to Manchester United, he may find a switch to Anfield of more appeal. Klopp’s side have reached three Champions League finals in the last five seasons. And they are usually there or thereabouts around the top prizes.

Furthermore, there is definitely an opening in the Liverpool midfield. As a tidy passer of the ball and someone who can dictate play, De Jong looks perfect for Klopp’s system.

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